Paul Gallagher’s Physics class is working on a long-term project with marbles! The challenge of the project is to design a machine that will cause a marble to take the longest amount of time to reach the floor from an initial height of 50 cm. Each group was provided with 500 Popsicle sticks and a hot glue-gun. Groups were allowed to bring in outside materials, but all items had to fit inside a standard milk crate and the total weight could not exceed 5 lbs. Wet foams, such as shaving cream, were not permitted. Students were required to document their inspiration and sketch a draft of their design before building, such as an architect might do. The winning group will be the one whose marble takes the longest to hit the floor, with bonus credit going to the group that measures the slowest velocity during the test.

One group, composed of Anna Krzyzewski ’16, Katarina Gianopoulos ’16, and Kylie Finning ’16, is planning a machine that will surely be a sight to see. “The goal is to take as much time as possible. We are going to use a pool noodle in water and cut it in half so that the marble can travel in a bottle cap,” the girls exclaimed, “If we use a blow-dryer to make the marble move slowly, it will never stop!” We wish all teams the best of luck with their machines!